Fun, fairly consistent beachbreak that's often a little more sheltered and user friendly than Sandsend to the north.
Webcams:
Wheeldale Hotel - live . Currently down
Whitby Yacht Club - tiny sliver of harbour wall peak
Peaks:
- Main beach: range of peaks across the beach, generally favouring lefts. Can handle a crowd. Low to mid high tide.
- Harbour Wall: right off west pier wall around high tide. Generally works best under wrapping E/SE swells, with Pier sheltering from following winds. Intermediate+
Tide: Low to mid-high. Can reach sea wall, particularly during spring high, causing backwash, and often shorebreaky towards high.
Swell: N ideal.
Wind: S/SW ideal. High cliffs offers some shelter from overly strong offshore (S/SW) winds at high to mid tide for all peaks. Pier wall offers some shelter from E/SE.
Hazards: rips, rocks, access, crowds, pollution. Semi permanent rip along harbour wall, can be useful for paddle out. Flash rips up and down bay, particularly when bigger. Crowds, particularly over summer. Sewage outlets, town runoff, and rivermouth can make for dubious water quality.
Access, parking & facilities: North Terrace, Pavilion Drive, West Cliff or roadside car parking. Mostly paid, some free over winter. Busy in summer. Access down cliff paths. Cafe and toilet on beach. Cafes, facilities, in town.
Links
Whitby Surf School - school, shop, hire. Not open in swell season!